Ultimate Cheesy Chicken Parmigiana
Transform your weeknight dinner into a gourmet experience with this Ultimate Cheesy Chicken Parmigiana. After stocking up on boneless, skinless chicken breasts, I challenged myself with a delightful recipe that would impress even the pickiest eaters. With perfectly baked chicken coated in a crispy breadcrumb crust, smothered in rich marinara sauce, and topped with layers of melty mozzarella and freshly grated Parmesan, this dish is irresistible. Served over a bed of tender angel hair pasta, it’s a hearty, comforting meal that brings joy to the table. Whether it’s a family dinner or a special occasion, this recipe is bound to be a crowd-pleaser – it serves four generously and leaves everyone wanting more!
N/A
Servings
300
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 (pounded to 1/2 inch thickness)
angel hair pasta
1/2 lb (cooked and drained)
Ragu spaghetti sauce
1 (14 ounce) jar (ready to use)
olive oil
2 teaspoons (for sautéing)
onion
2/3 cup (diced)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
dry white wine
1/3 cup (for sautéing)
Italian seasoning
2 teaspoons (for flavoring)
fresh seasoned breadcrumbs
1/2 cup (for breading)
Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup (grated, plus 1 tablespoon for topping)
fresh mozzarella cheese
4 slices (for topping)
eggs
2 (beaten for coating)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
Place the chicken breasts in a zip lock freezer bag and gently pound them out to about 1/2 inch thick using a meat mallet or rolling pin.
3
In a saucepan over medium heat, heat the olive oil, then add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion is translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
4
Add the dry white wine to the pan and allow it to simmer until it has mostly evaporated, about 2-3 minutes.
5
Stir in the jar of Ragu spaghetti sauce, lower the heat, and let it simmer while you prepare the chicken.
6
In a shallow dish, beat the two eggs until frothy, and set aside.
7
In another shallow dish, combine the fresh breadcrumbs and 1/2 cup of the grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
8
Dredge each chicken breast in the egg, ensuring each piece is fully coated, then dip it into the breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture, pressing down to get a good coating. For extra crunch, repeat this step for a double breaded effect.
9
Place the breaded chicken breasts on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.
10
Carefully remove the chicken from the oven and generously spoon 1/4 cup of the prepared marinara sauce over each breast. Sprinkle with the additional tablespoon of grated Parmesan and top with 2 slices of fresh mozzarella cheese per breast.
11
Return the chicken to the oven and broil for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
12
While the chicken is baking, cook the angel hair pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
13
To serve, place a generous portion of spaghetti sauce over a bed of cooked pasta and top with a cheesy chicken breast.
Nutrition Information
15
Fat
28
Carbs
20
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ultimate Cheesy Chicken Parmigiana?
It is a gourmet weeknight dinner featuring crispy breaded chicken breasts topped with marinara sauce, melted mozzarella, and Parmesan, served over angel hair pasta.
How many people does this recipe serve?
This recipe is designed to serve four people generously.
How many calories are in a serving of this dish?
There are approximately 300 calories per serving.
What is the fat content for each serving?
Each serving contains 15 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in this recipe?
There are 28 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the protein content per serving?
This recipe provides 20 grams of protein per serving.
What type of chicken is required?
The recipe calls for two boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
How should the chicken breasts be prepared before cooking?
They should be placed in a freezer bag and gently pounded to about 1/2 inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
What is the first step in preparing the sauce?
Sauté 2/3 cup of diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves in olive oil until the onion is translucent.
Why is white wine added to the sauce?
1/3 cup of dry white wine is simmered until evaporated to add a rich depth of flavor to the marinara.
Which brand of spaghetti sauce is used?
The recipe specifies using one 14-ounce jar of Ragu spaghetti sauce.
What are the ingredients for the breading?
The breading consists of two beaten eggs, 1/2 cup of fresh seasoned breadcrumbs, and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
How do you bread the chicken?
Dredge the chicken in the frothy beaten eggs and then dip it into the breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture, pressing down for a good coating.
Can I make the chicken extra crunchy?
Yes, you can repeat the dredging and dipping steps for a double breaded effect.
How long does the chicken bake initially?
The breaded chicken breasts are baked for 15 minutes on a foil-lined baking sheet.
What is added to the chicken after the initial baking period?
Spoon 1/4 cup of marinara sauce over each breast, sprinkle with Parmesan, and top with 2 slices of fresh mozzarella.
How long should the chicken be broiled?
Broil the chicken for 3 to 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
What type of pasta is recommended for this dish?
The recipe suggests serving the chicken over 1/2 pound of cooked and drained angel hair pasta.
What seasoning is used for flavoring?
The recipe includes 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning.
How many slices of mozzarella are used?
A total of 4 slices of fresh mozzarella are used, with 2 slices per chicken breast.
How much olive oil is needed?
You will need 2 teaspoons of olive oil for sautéing the onion and garlic.
Is the Parmesan cheese used in more than one step?
Yes, 1/2 cup is used in the breading and an additional tablespoon is used for topping.
How should the onion be prepared?
The onion should be diced until you have 2/3 of a cup.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe requires 2 minced garlic cloves.
Is this recipe considered a quick weeknight meal?
Yes, it is described as a great way to transform a weeknight dinner into a gourmet experience.
Should the pasta be cooked separately?
Yes, cook the angel hair pasta according to package directions while the chicken is baking.
What is the recommended serving suggestion?
Place a generous portion of sauce over a bed of pasta and top with the cheesy chicken breast.
Can I use a rolling pin for the chicken?
Yes, a rolling pin can be used as an alternative to a meat mallet to pound the chicken.
Is the baking sheet supposed to be lined?
The recipe suggests using a foil-lined baking sheet for the chicken.